USADA suspension for Brock Lesnar could be less than 2 years

Ariel Helwani from MMAFighting.com reported today that Brock Lesnar might face a shorter suspension from the USADA for his two drug test failures leading up to UFC 200 instead of the two-year ban for a first-time offense.

Helwani explains that the substances that Lesnar – and eventually even Jon Jones – popped for are considered “specified substances” under the WADA code, and the code says that “there is a greater likelihood that these (specified) substances could be susceptible to a credible non-doping explanation.” It also says that it is possible for a prohibited substance to enter an athlete’s body inadvertently, thus allowing more leeway when handing down a suspension.

Apart from the USADA suspension, Lesnar is also facing punishment from the Nevada Athletic Commission which had jurisdiction over the UFC 200 event since it was held in Las Vegas. He was handed a temporary suspension yesterday until there is a formal hearing and the Nevada Athletic Commission suspension will be in addition and irrespective of the USADA one.